Doctoral Researcher Peer Mentoring Programme

A peer mentor is an experienced doctoral researcher who supports a first-year doctoral researcher through a confidential, non-judgemental mentoring relationship. By sharing experiences, asking reflective questions, providing encouragement, and signposting useful resources, peer mentors help new researchers navigate the transition to doctoral study and become part of the University of Westminster’s research community.

To be eligible as a mentor, doctoral researchers must have successfully completed APR1 and be able to commit to the full nine-month duration of the programme.

The Doctoral Researcher Peer Mentoring Scheme is designed to support the personal and professional development of doctoral researchers. Through regular mentor-mentee conversations, the scheme helps first-year researchers settle into doctoral study, build confidence, develop independence, and better understand university processes and culture.

The programme also aims to:

• Strengthen the doctoral researcher community.
• Support the transition into postgraduate research.
• Increase awareness of support services, resources, and opportunities.
• Promote networking and peer learning.
• Enhance the overall doctoral researcher experience.
• Develop mentoring, communication, and leadership skills among experienced researchers.

As a mentor, you are expected to:

• Provide a supportive and welcoming environment.
• Meet regularly with your mentee throughout the nine-month programme.
• Encourage reflection and independent decision-making.
• Share relevant experiences and lessons learned from your doctoral journey.
• Help your mentee identify goals and strategies for achieving them.
• Signpost appropriate university services, resources, and opportunities.
• Respect agreed boundaries and maintain confidentiality.
• Notify the Programme Leads if any issues arise within the mentoring relationship.

It is important to remember that mentoring is not about providing all the answers. Effective mentors help mentees explore options, reflect on challenges, and develop their own solutions.

All mentors are required to attend mentor training delivered by The Graduate School before being matched with a mentee. This training will introduce the principles of effective mentoring, clarify the boundaries of the role, and provide practical guidance on supporting doctoral researchers.

To become a mentor, you must:

• Attend the mandatory mentor training session (details of the next session can be found via Inkpath).
• Complete the mentor matching questionnaire.
• Sign and return the Mentor Code of Conduct.

Once these steps have been completed, you will be eligible to be matched with a mentee.

Mentoring is a valuable development opportunity that allows mentors to:

• Develop mentoring and leadership skills.
• Enhance communication and interpersonal skills.
• Reflect on their own doctoral journey.
• Expand their professional network.
• Gain satisfaction from supporting another researcher's development.
• Contribute positively to the doctoral research community.

At the end of the nine-month mentoring period, both mentors and mentees will be invited to complete a short evaluation. The form will be shared via email as the end of your pairing approaches. The feedback gathered helps the Graduate School assess the impact of the programme, celebrate successes, and identify opportunities for improvement for future cohorts.

Your participation in the evaluation is invaluable in helping us strengthen and enhance the Doctoral Researcher Peer Mentoring Scheme for future doctoral researchers.

Your peer mentor is an experienced doctoral researcher who can support you as you transition into doctoral study. Through regular conversations, they can help you navigate your first year, understand university culture and processes, identify useful resources, and build confidence as an independent researcher.

A mentor may be able to help you:

• Gain insight into doctoral study and university life.
• Understand key processes and expectations.
• Access useful information, opportunities, and resources.
• Set goals and priorities.
• Build confidence in managing your research journey.
• Strengthen your networking and communication skills.
• Feel more connected to the wider doctoral researcher community.

While mentors are a valuable source of support, they are not supervisors, counsellors, or professional advisers.

You should not expect your mentor to:

• Provide academic supervision or research direction.
• Review or edit your work.
• Resolve formal university issues on your behalf.
• Provide specialist wellbeing, immigration, funding, or legal advice.
• Make decisions for you.

Instead, mentors may help you identify the appropriate university services or support teams where specialist advice is needed.

Matching takes place following the mentee recruitment period. The programme leads will carefully review mentor and mentee applications and use the information provided to identify suitable matches based on interests, preferences, experiences, and development needs.

You will be notified once a match has been confirmed and provided with information about your mentor.

You and your mentor can decide together how you would like to meet. Meetings may take place:

• In person on campus.
• Online via Microsoft Teams or another agreed platform.
• Through a combination of in-person and virtual meetings.

The first meeting should focus on getting to know each other, discussing expectations, and agreeing how you will work together throughout the programme.

The mentoring programme runs for approximately nine months. Participants are encouraged to arrange at least six meetings of around one hour each during this period.

However, the exact format, frequency, and duration of meetings can be agreed between you and your mentor to suit your individual needs and schedules.

Many mentoring pairs find it helpful to establish an informal mentoring agreement during their first meeting. Topics might include:

• Expectations and objectives.
• Roles and responsibilities.
• Confidentiality.
• Preferred methods of communication.
• Meeting frequency and format.
• Boundaries and areas for discussion.
• Reviewing progress.
• How the mentoring relationship will conclude.

This agreement remains confidential between mentor and mentee and helps establish a productive and positive relationship.

The scheme is open to doctoral researchers in their first year of study at the University of Westminster.

To participate, you should:

• Attend a mentee briefing session (details of the next session can be found via Inkpath).
• Complete the mentee registration form which will be shared via email.
• Await confirmation of your mentor match.
• Arrange your first meeting with your assigned mentor.

At the end of the nine-month mentoring period, both mentors and mentees will be invited to complete a short evaluation. The feedback gathered helps the Graduate School assess the impact of the programme, celebrate successes, and identify opportunities for improvement for future cohorts.

Your participation in the evaluation is invaluable in helping us strengthen and enhance the Doctoral Researcher Peer Mentoring Scheme for future doctoral researchers.

Mentees will be encouraged to become Mentors for future cohorts of doctoral researchers.